This Statistical Brief presents data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) on ED visits for adults, ages 18 years and older, in 23 states that provided 2005 ED data to HCUP. The information focuses on the reasons why people visited the ED. Variations in ED visits based on demographic characteristics, disposition status, and expected payer are also discussed.
This brief is the first report of a two-part series on ED visits in community hospitals in selected states. Because adults and children are treated in the ED for very different reasons, discussion of ED visits by adults and children are presented in two separate HCUP Statistical Briefs. This initial report focuses on adult ED visits, while HCUP Statistical Brief #53 will focus on pediatric ED visits.